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General Information

The General Church Assembly

Written by Pastor Jon

General Church Assembly (GCA) is a meeting of all members of NLH Angono for the purpose of addressing church matters that require their attention, participation, and decision. In a GCA all members are expected to come and participate, to hear and be heard, to give his or her vote if necessary, and to support whatever the decision of the congregation and the elders.

A biblical a pattern 

The closest example we have from the Scriptures is Acts 6, where the apostles “summoned the congregation of the disciples…” to address the problems that were arising in the church. The first was the neglect of certain widows in the daily serving of food; the second was the fact that this service was taking much of the apostles’ time, which they were supposed to devote to prayer and the ministry of the word. (Acts 6.1-4) The result of that meeting was threefold:

  • the problem with the serving of food was resolved;
  • the word of God spread; 
  • the number of disciples increased; and 
  • the seven men who were appointed to the task were empowered to minister beyond serving tables

The summoning of the congregation implies a number of things. 

  • First, it means that the congregation is responsible for the welfare of its own people.
  • Second, it shows that when the congregation resolves its internal problems, the ministry moves forward. 

Beginning this year, we will practice the Acts 6 pattern, as a congregation, for the benefit of our own people and for the sake of the most important ministry of gospel proclamation. 

How to implement the GCA 

  1. The GCA will convene in two ways:
    • (1) every time the congregation holds its Communion Service – the congregation will come together at least one (1) hour before the Communion Service starts. 
    • (2) when the need arises – the Pastor and the Deacons shall announce the date, which will usually fall on a Sunday, and the purpose of the assembly. 
  2. The Pastor, together with the Deacons, shall determine the agenda that will be addressed by the assembly.
    • the agenda will be posted at least 1 week before the date of the assembly
  3. A Deacon shall preside over the meeting, and the Pastor shall address each item on the agenda. 
  4. The congregation shall participate by asking the right questions before the assembly comes up to a decision. 
  5. If voting or election is called for, the choice of the majority will be received and respected as the congregation’s decision. 

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